Brassiere



L. J. WITKOWER 2,719,301

BRASSIERE Oct. 4, 1955 Filed July 18, 1949 FIG. I.

INVENTOR LEONARD J. WITKOWER 3| ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 2,719,301 BRASSIERE Leonard J. Witkower, West Los Angeles, Calif. Application July 18, 1949, Serial No. 105,327

3 Claims. 01. z'-4z This invention has to do with brassieres.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel brassiere which is so constructed that it readily molds or shapes the breasts and furnishes support for them.

Another object is to provide a brassiere having a new and improved cup construction wherein the lower portion of each cup is formed in a manner to provide a yieldable wall which is relatively stiffer than the upper portion of the cup and which tends to mold and support the individual breast.

A further object of the invention is to provide a brassiere construction in which the breast cups are provided with an integral soft rubber-like reinforcement sheet in the lower half of each cup.

A still further object is to provide a brassiere which so molds and shapes the breasts that a given size of brassiere can be worn by various-sized persons.

A further object is to provide a novel reinforcement wall section or member adapted to be incorporated in a brassiere as an integral part thereof to provide a brassiere having the features outlined above.

Another object of the invention is to provide a brassiere of smart appearance which is of simple construction and may be easily and economically manufactured.

These and other objects will be apparent from the drawing and the following description:

Referring to the drawing, which is for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the front of a brassiere embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the inner side of one cup;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view on line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a reinforcement member; 1

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a different type of reinforcement member; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view on line 77 of Fig. 6.

More particularly describing the invention, reference numeral 11 generally indicates a central body member which may be described as resembling an inverted Y in shape. Extending laterally beyond this at each side of the brassiere are a pair of side panels 12 which are secured to the member 11 in the region 13 by suitable stitching. The ends of the panels 12 are provided with suitable elastic or other short fastening strips 14 and 15, strip 14 being provided with hooks 16 for engagement in eyes 17 of strip 15.

The central section 11 and side panels 12 cooperate to provide two recesses 18 in which are positioned what will be termed breast cups 20. The cups are each made up of a plurality of sections of fabric and in the form of the invention shown the upper portion of each cup comprises the two fabric sections 21 and 22. The lower portion of each cup on the outer side is made up of the 2,719,301 C6 Patented Oct. 4, 1 955 fabric sections 23 and 24. The various sections are stitched or sewn together and to the parts 11 and 12 as shown in a conventional manner to complete the cup.

The brassiere is also provided with'the usual shoulder straps 25 which are suitably attached at the upper'po'rtion of each cup and at the ends of the side panels 12.

On the inner side of the garment the upper section of each'cup may be provided with a netting or other desirable fabric, indicated at 27. This fabric may also be cut or formed in two sections and stitched together in a manner similar to that of the outer sections 21 and 22.

The inner portion of the lower half of the cup is also provided with two fabric inner wall sections indicated by 23a and 24a which are similar to the previously described sections 23 and 24, respectively.

It is an important feature of the construction of the brassiere that the lower portion of each cup is provided with an intermediate or reinforcing member 30 of soft yieldable rubber-like material. This reinforcement member is shown in Fig. 5 and is preferably in the form of a thin sheet of sponge or foam rubber having an arcuate lower edge 31 and two inclined upper edges 32. The member is mounted as an integral part of the brassiere, being positioned between the inner and outer fabric walls forming the lower portion of the brassiere. Preferably, a large portion of the'area of the lower portion of the cup is stitched in order to provide a degree of stiffness. in the form of the invention illustrated, the stitching is shown as comprising a plurality of parallel upright lines of stitching 35 and in the region of the upper portion of the cup a plurality of parallel laterally extending lines 36. It is contemplated, of course, that any suitable stitching may be employed as, for example, semicircular, concentric or spiral rows of stitching.

In Figs. 6 and 7 there is shown another type of reinforcing member which has the same general shape as the member 30. This member is indicated by 38 and comprises a body 39 of sponge or foam rubber or other soft yieldable material in which there is embedded a plurality of upright substantially parallel laterally spaced reinforcing rods or wires 40. The elements 40 are preferably flexible and spring-like in character and may be made of spring wire, a so-called plastic, or other material. The member 38 is designed as an alternate form of the member 30 and is permanently sewn in place in the lower portion of each cup of the brassiere. When the member 38 is used, there is no need for stitching over the surface of the lower half of the cup and through the reinforcement member. The vertically extending rods, of course, provide additional support and yet permit the lower portion of the cup of the brassiere, including the member 38, to yield adequately in a way to permit the brassiere to mold the breasts.

Although the invention has been particularly shown and described, it is contemplated that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. In a brassiere, a fabric body-encircling member terminating in fastening means at its ends and having a pair of breast cups, said breast cups each being divided into an upper and a lower portion, the lower portion of each cup comprising inner and outer fabric sheets and a reinforcement member in the form of a thin sheet of soft, pliable rubber-like material therebetween, said reinforcement member having an arcuate lower edge and a pair of downwardly and outwardly inclined upper edges and being coextensive with the lower portion of the breast pocket, and stitches through said inner and outer fabric sheets and through said reinforcement member firmly anchoring said reinforcement member in place.

terminating in fastening means at its ends and having a pair of breast 'cups, sai'd breast cups 'eachbeing "di-' vided into an upper and a lower portion, the lower portion of each cup comprising innerand outer fabric sheets and a reinforcement (member therebetween, sai'd reinforc'ementrmember, being in the form of a thin sheet of soft,'.pliable sponge rubber-like material'having upright laterally spaced, parallel springy reinforcing rods embedded therein;

"S A reinforcement member forincorporationinto-ihe breast'cup of 'a-brassierecomprising a sheet of sponge rubber like material having a convexly areuate lower edge and impairof'inelined upper edges, said member ineludin; alplurality' oflatera ly sp c d, h n, fiexi lqp ralll 4 reinforcement rods extending from a region'adjacent the inclined upper edges to a region adjacent the arcuate lower-"edge.

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,061,402 Hollar Nov. 17, 1936 2,152,910 Childs Apr. 4, 1939 2,196,492 Clark et a1. Apr. 9, 1940 2,334,529 Amyot; Nov. 16, 1943 2,540,631 Nelson 1, Feb. 6, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 214,047 Great Britain Apr. 17, 1924 

